Guest User
January 3, 2025
We recently enjoyed a family stay at Ockenden Manor, and overall, we had a wonderful time. The hotel is charming, the staff were friendly, and our room was comfortable, offering a great base to explore the surrounding area. The location and atmosphere are perfect for a family getaway, and we appreciated the family-friendly touches. However, we did have some feedback regarding two aspects of our stay. First, while Ockenden Manor is marketed as being dog-friendly, we were disappointed to discover that our dog wasn't allowed to join us in the dining room. This was a bit of a letdown, as we had expected to be able to include our furry friend during breakfast and dinner, especially given the hotel's dog-friendly positioning. It would be great if clearer guidelines could be communicated to avoid any confusion for other pet owners in the future. The second area for improvement was the spa. Although the facilities are nice, we found the experience to be far from relaxing. It seems the hotel has sold an excessive number of memberships to locals, which made the spa feel more like a busy leisure centre than a tranquil retreat. There were long queues for the only two showers available, and we couldn't even find a free locker to store our belongings. Unfortunately, this aspect of our stay was a bit stressful rather than serene, and we would recommend reconsidering the membership policies to preserve the calming atmosphere that one expects from a spa. In summary, our stay at Ockenden Manor was enjoyable, but these two factors did impact our experience. With a few adjustments, particularly in terms of its pet policy and the spa environment, this could be an excellent family destination.